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HMRC promises 03 numbers in 2013

22/12/2012

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In an interview on BBC Radio 4 Money Box today, Lin Homer, the Chief Executive of HMRC acknowledges that 03 numbers are the answer and promises to use them more widely.
The item primarily addresses the problem with unanswered calls and long wait times, which are compounded by the improper use of 0845 numbers - but it does not ignore the important point.
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Click to listen
This item was prepared following the report of the National Audit Office - see our blogging.
It follows previous coverage of the issue by Money Box - see this item.
The following quotations from Lin Homer indicate that the battle is nearly won.
“[Some] of our callers already have access to a 0345 number, so we are well on the way to trying to make the system work better”
This is an acknowledgement that 03 numbers are required and that the roll out will continue.
“We are going to renegotiate the contract next year … to get the best value for the callers, as well as for HMRC, when we do that”
Any Treasury minister who approves the continuing imposition of a Service Charge will have to answer to parliament and the people. The loss of the benefit of the subsidy indirectly achieved from the Service Charge must be approved - “we are all in this together”.
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fairtelecoms newsletter - December 2012

22/12/2012

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ft_newsletter_dec_2012.pdf
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In our first newsletter:
  • Nuisance calls | Please sign the petition calling on the government to act.
  • 084 numbers in the NHS | Whilst some providers of NHS services are abandoning their premium numbers, many others continue with theirs.
  • Reform of 08/09 numbers | Ofcom is expected to publish its statement setting out radical changes to these number ranges.
  • Consumer Rights Directive | BIS is currently considering the responses to the recent consultation. We hope that this will see the end to much misuse of 084/087 numbers for customer service helplines.
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Christmas card

21/12/2012

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Click image to thaw / freeze

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HMRC admits to £13m per annum 0845 ripoff

18/12/2012

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hrmc_admits_to_0845_ripoff.pdf
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The extracts from media coverage of this story, shown below, offer an encouraging sign of the message about the cost of calling 0845 numbers now being presented fairly.
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media_references_to_the_ripoff_of_0845_numbers.pdf
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Pending possible discussions with the NAO about the detail of its calculations, the following briefing has been issued to give additional information and some insight into the published figures.
Whilst exceptional waiting times are unacceptable, the improper use of 0845 numbers is a quite sufficient issue of concern in itself.
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hmrc_0845_detail.pdf
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Video Player mended

14/12/2012

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The video player has been restored to health and tested as working on Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, Opera and Safari. Please let us know of any further problems.
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Two Tier NHS - GPs lead the way

10/12/2012

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gpslead_twotier.pdf
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We disagree with GPs, PCTs and others who argue that “patient choice” in the NHS includes the right to pay for improved access, so long as free access is available to those who cannot afford it.
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Silent Calls - Ofcom fines npower £60,000

6/12/2012

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ofcom_npower_fine.pdf
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Following sight of the Ofcom news release and coverage based on that, a further briefing has been issued.
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ofcom_npower_briefing.pdf
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Coverage of the Gloucestershire NHS move from 0845 to 0300

6/12/2012

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As advised in our media release, the move from 0845 to 0300 was completed on 26 November.
It is now being publicised and discussed.
Click on the items below (including the link within the animated Google ad).

Read the forum
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Show / Hide the ad
Hear the coverage
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Item includes a fair telecoms campaign contribution
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Nuisance Calls - please support the 'Sunday Post' petition

4/12/2012

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We urge supporters to sign the petition organised by the 'Sunday Post' newspaper - published in Dundee by the reknowned DC Thomson. Although this is essentially not a party political issue, we and the Sunday Post are grateful to the Scottish Lib Dems for hosting an on-line version of the petition at www.no2nuisancecalls.net.

Please read the update on the position regarding nuisance calls in the briefing shown below.
A copy of the latest coverage in the 'Sunday Post' is also available to view.

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nuisance_calls_update.pdf
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sunday_post_25nov.pdf
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